Method and Apparatus For Mounting A System Module To A Vehicle

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for mounting a trailer/dolly air brake system module onto a mounting surface of a trailer/dolly using a mounting element. More particularly, a trailer/dolly air brake system module is mounted to an I-beam or C-channel of the trailer/dolly via welding methods, fasteners, or clamps. This allows the trailer/dolly air brake system module to be easily removable and replaceable, minimizing trailer/dolly down time as well as diagnostic troubleshooting/repair time. More particularly, the system module is for a trailer/dolly air brake system module. The method allows for continued use of a trailer/dolly vehicle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system module that is mounted onto amounting surface of a trailer/dolly. More particularly, the systemmodule is mounted to an I-beam or C-channel of the trailer/dolly viafasteners or clamps. This allows the system module to be easilyremovable and replaceable, minimizing trailer/dolly down time as well asdiagnostic troubleshooting/repair time. More particularly, the presentinvention uses a system module for a trailer/dolly air brake system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tractor-trailer and dolly systems are used to transport large quantitiesof cargo across the United States. Various industries and consumers aredependent upon these trailer/dolly systems for the transport of theirgoods. In particular, the shipping industry, including large companiessuch as UPS®, FedEx®, and the United States Postal Service® amongothers, utilize trailer/dolly systems to transport and ship goods toconsumers. These systems help the shipping industry adequately transportgoods in order to meet the demand of US consumers, which require hugevolumes of goods to be shipped daily.

What makes trailer/dolly systems unique is that these vehicles areconstantly being used and operated. Companies try to maximize use oftrailer/dolly systems, as this allows companies to fully allocate theirresources and limit costs. In fact, companies work under the operationalmodel whereby trailer/dolly systems are in constant use. This saves theindustry thousands, if not millions, of dollars in operational savings.

Inevitably, however, trailer/dolly downtime does occur whentrailer/dolly systems are serviced. This disrupts the operational modelof the shipping companies and results in delays, which results inmonetary and operational loses. When trailer/dolly downtime occurs, theshipping industry loses money as it cannot maximize the efficiency ofthe trailer/dolly systems. Additional trailer/dolly systems are thenutilized, either by being purchased as a backup or rented from anothercompany. In both instances this costs companies time and money, asinefficiencies in the operational model persist.

As noted above, it is thus desirable to avoid trailer/dolly downtime,especially periodic causes of downtime. One such periodic cause oftrailer/dolly downtime could be the Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) system module.Other such periodic causes of trailer/dolly downtime could be theBooster Valve and Pressure Protection Valve, other such valves in atrailer/dolly, as well as trailer/dolly control and hydraulic systems.Trailer/dolly systems must have periodic maintenance checks for safetyreasons. Downtime as a result of a these periodic maintenance checkscosts companies time and money.

It is thus desirable to reduce, if not limit entirely, the amount oftrailer/dolly downtime due to periodic service and repair.

Prior art designs of system modules on trailer/dolly systems requiredthe entire trailer/dolly vehicle to be inoperable if a problem in thesystem module occurred. Thus, when the system module had to be replaced,the entire trailer/dolly assembly was down and could not be used.Furthermore, prior art designs of system modules for trailer/dollysystems occasionally would fail, resulting in insurance cost increasesto the owner's of the trailer/dolly system. Prior art designs would alsobe installed incorrectly, thus increasing operation cost both in earlyand unnecessary repair and replacement cost.

What is thus desired, therefore, is an apparatus and method forproviding a system module that can be easily be removed and replaced tominimize trailer/dolly downtime. If a problem is detected in a moduleattached to a trailer/dolly vehicle, the module can be quickly replacedwith another module, allowing for continued use of the trailer/dollyvehicle, and minimizing trailer/dolly downtime.

It is further desirable to provide for an apparatus and method forallowing for quick and easily installation of a system module. It isfurther desirable for a method that eliminates installation errorsduring the installation of a system module, thus minimizing operationcost both in early and unnecessary repair and replacement. It is furtherdesirable to minimize catastrophic failures resulting in insurance costsavings, as well as to reduce diagnostic troubleshooting and repair timefor system modules.

It is further desirable to provide a special clamp that allows for theother desired objects of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing a system module that can be easily beremoved and replaced to minimize trailer/dolly downtime. Specifically,the system module pertains to a trailer/dolly air brake system module.It is a further object of the invention to quickly replace a systemmodule with another system module, allowing for continued use of thetrailer/dolly vehicle. It is a another object of the invention to reduceinstallation time of a system module, and eliminate installation errorsof the system module, thus minimizing operation cost in both early andunnecessary repair and replacement cost, as well as minimizingcatastrophic failures resulting in insurance cost saving. It is anotherobject of the present invention to provide a special clamp to achieveother objects of the present invention.

These and other objectives are achieved by providing an apparatus for asystem module comprising a system module, a mounting element; and amounting surface, wherein said mounting element attaches said systemmodule to said mounting surface, and wherein said mounting surface is anelement of a vehicle. While the mounting surface is generally either anI-beam or C-channel, the mounting surface may also be another element ofa trailer/dolly system. Furthermore, the attachment of the mountingelement to the mounting surface of the apparatus is done either bywelding, through a fastening device, a clamping device, or a combinationof these devices and methods. Also, the mounting element could beanother such element or technique used in the industry that can attachand support the mounting element to the mounting surface, but can alsoallow quick removal of the system module. The mounting element couldinvolve various elements, such elastics and other such flexible andstrong materials, to attach the system module to the mounting surface,and also allow for the system module to be removed from the mountingelement and mounting surface.

In particular, a unique clamp and clamping system designed by Haldex®achieves this objective, and is a mounting element to be used in anembodiment of the present invention. The Haldex® clamp providesincreased ease of use, durability, and longevity, as it attaches thesystem module to the mounting element, whereby the mounting element isgenerally an I-beam.

Specifically, the Haldex® clamp comprises: a pair of oppositely disposedclamping members for engaging laterally opposite flanges of a mountingsurface, each clamping member having a lug portion thereof; a pair ofbrackets disposed between the lug portions of the clamping members, thebrackets secured to the clamping members via fasteners, where thebrackets are adapted to receive a panel.

The Haldex® clamp may have said pair of brackets secured to each othervia fasteners. The clamping members on the Haldex® clamp may be C-shapedand the brackets may be L-shaped.

In an embodiment, the brackets of the clamp face each other to form aT-shape, forming a groove in between the brackets. A panel is disposedin the groove between the brackets and is secured via fasteners. Thesefasteners may be easily removed allowing the panel to be removed fromthe brackets, and thus from the clamp.

The Halex® clamp is typically for use with an I-beam, though the clampmay have other uses. When used with an I-beam, the clamping members ofthe Haldex® clamp attach to the laterally opposite flanges of a lowerflange portion of the I-beam. The clamp functions by having itsfasteners tighten the clamping members around the I-beam to secure theclamp to the I-beam.

Another embodiment of the present invention involves a clamping systemcomprising: a pair of clamps for engaging two separate mountingsurfaces, the clamps each having a pair of oppositely disposed clampingmembers for engaging laterally opposite flanges of the mountingsurfaces, each clamping member having a lug portion thereof, the clampseach having a pair of brackets disposed between the lug portions of theclamping members, wherein the brackets are secured to the clampingmembers via fasteners; and a module panel, the module panel secured toeach of the clamps.

The clamping system further may have fasteners that secure the modulepanel to each of the clamps. The clamping members may be C-shaped. Thebrackets may be L-shaped. Furthermore, the brackets on each of theclamps may face each other to form a T-shape, forming a groove inbetween the brackets for each of the clamps. This allows the panel to bedisposed in the groove of each of the clamps and allows the panel to besecured to the brackets of each of the clamps via fasteners.

The clamping system may have mounting surfaces selected from a groupconsisting of an I-beam or a C-channel, or a combination thereof. AnI-beam is preferred for use with the clamping system.

Another embodiment involves a method for assembly of a clamp comprising:introducing a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members for engaginglaterally opposite flanges of a mounting surface, each clamping memberhaving a lug portion thereof; introducing a pair of brackets; disposingthe brackets between the lug portions of the clamping members; andfastening the brackets to the clamping members.

The clamping members of this method may be C-shaped. The brackets may beL-shaped. The method further may have the fasteners tighten the clampingmembers around the I-beam to secure the clamp to the I-beam. The methodfurther may involve inserting a panel between the brackets, and securingthe panel to the brackets via fasteners. The mounting surface of themethod is selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or a C-channel,although an I-beam is preferred.

The Haldex® clamp, Haldex® clamping system, and method for Haldex® clampassembly are all focused on the mounting element of the presentinvention which connects the mounting surface to the system module.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the system module can berepaired without disturbing the continued use of the vehicle. This isdone by first removing the system module from the mounting surface, andonce removed, the system module can be replaced by a second systemmodule, and the second system module will then allow for continued useof the vehicle. This allows for any or all components of thetrailer/dolly air brake system module to be easily and efficiencyreplaced by a similar components or an air brake system module, thusminimizing downtime of the trailer/dolly system.

Typical vehicles that can use the present invention are selected from,but not limited to, a group consisting of semi-trailers, dolly,semi-trailer trucks, lorry's, side lifters, reefers, vans, flat beds,tanker trailers, dump trailers, road trains, or other commercial andheavy duty vehicles that use an air/hydraulic system, or other suchvehicles.

In other embodiments of the invention, the invention involves a methodof removing and replacing a system module from a vehicle comprisingintroducing a system module, introducing a mounting element, wherein themounting element attaches the system module to a mounting surface on thevehicle.

The method further comprises removing said system module by disengagingsaid system module from said mounting element, introducing a secondsystem module, and engaging said second system module with said mountingelement, wherein said second system module allows for continued use ofsaid vehicle.

The method further uses a mounting surface selected from a groupconsisting of an I-beam or C-channel. However, the mounting surface canbe another part associated with a trailer/dolly vehicle. Furthermore,the mounting element is selected from a group consisting of a fasteningdevice, and/or a clamping device, however, other methods may also beused to connect the system to the mounting surface. More than one ofthese methods can be used in conjunction with one another to mount thesystem module to the mounting surface. In a specific embodiment of thismethod, the system module used is an air brake trailer/dolly systemmodule.

The method further applies to a vehicle from a group consisting, but notlimited to, semi-trailers, dolly, semi-trailer trucks, lorry's, sidelifters, reefers, vans, flat beds, tanker trailers, dump trailers, roadtrains, or other commercial and heavy duty vehicles that useair/hydraulic systems.

The method further comprises the step of easing the installation of thesystem module. The method further comprises the step of servicing thesystem module and inserting the system module into another vehicle. Thisallows for system modules to be used interchangeably, thus minimizingdowntime of the vehicle. This downtime can be limited, whereby the timeto remove and replace a system module with a second system module takesunder an hour. More preferably, the downtime can be limited to 30minutes, whereby it take approximately 30 minutes or less to remove andreplace a system module from a mounting surface.

Other objects of the invention and its particular features andadvantages will become more apparent from consideration of the followingdrawings and accompanying detailed description. It should be understoodthat the detailed description and specific examples, while indicatingthe preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes ofillustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front side of a module panel withvarious system elements connected to a mounting surface according to oneembodiment of an apparatus illustrating principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the module panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the module panel shown in FIG. 1 showing theconnection to the mounting surface;

FIG. 4 is a simplified view of the mounting element attaching the systemmodule to the mounting surface;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the invention shown in FIG. 4 showing themounting elements used to attach the system module to the mountingsurface;

FIG. 6 is a view of the mounting element using to attach the systemmodule to the mounting surface according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a view of the mounting element using welding to attach thesystem module to the mounting surface according to another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view of the mounting element using a flexible elastic toattach the system module to the mounting surface according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view of the mounting element using a clamp to attach thesystem module to the mounting surface according to another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the Haldex® clamp;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the Haldex® clamp; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the Haldex® clamping system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a module panel 100 is shown in accordance with thepresent invention. The module panel is shown attached to a mountingsurface 105, 110 via mounting elements 115, 120. These mounting elementscan be either fasteners, clamps, or a combination of the same. Weldingmay also be used to attach the mounting element 115, 120 to the mountingsurface 105,110, however to attach the module panel 100 to the mountingelement 115,120, welding should not be used, as the module panel 100needs to be easily removable from the mounting element 115, 120. In FIG.1, fasteners 125 and 130 are used to hold and tighten the mountingelements 115, 120, which are designed to go around and attach themounting surface 105, 110 to the module panel 100.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment whereby the mounting surface 105, 110 isshown as a trailer I-beam. However, the mounting surface 105, 110 mayalso be a C-channel or other such mounting surface for mounting a systemmodule 1000 onto a trailer or dolly vehicle.

FIG. 1 further shows elements that are arranged on the module panel 100.These elements make up the system module 1000. The order and arrangementof the elements that make up the system module 1000 can vary. Shown inFIG. 1 are booster valve 140, manifold valve 150, check valve 160, andFFABS valve with electronic control unit 170. These elements are part ofsystem module 1000, and are mounted onto the module panel 100. Furthercontrol system elements can be added to the module panel 100 that arenot shown and an advantage of using a module panel 100 is thatadditional elements can be added to the module panel, such as, but notlimited to the following elements: Tire Inflation System, FFABS Valvewith ECU, 6-Port Valve with ECU, 2-Port Valve with ECU, Suspension DumpValve, Suspension Pilot Valve, In-Line Filters, One Way check Valves,Quick Release Valve, Pressure Protection Valve, Lift Axle Valve, TrailerBrake Control Valve, Power Junction Box, Warning Lamp, Alarm box,Vehicle Weight Monitor, and Diagnostic Tool or Diagnostic InterfaceTool.

In fact, various designs that make up a system module 1000 may be usedso long as the designs can fit on a module panel 100. This allows fordifferent system modules with varying elements to be used with thepresent invention. Typically, the module panel 100 is made of metal or atype of metal alloy, although other types of materials may also be used.

Furthermore, fasteners 180 are also shown in FIG. 1, which providefurther support to attach the module panel 100 to the mounting element115, 120. These fasteners are not necessary for all embodiments of theinvention, and can be used with and without other mounting elements.

FIG. 2 shows a Top View of the embodiment of the present invention shownin FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, mounting elements 115, 120 are shownattached to mounting surfaces 105, 110. The module panel 100 is alsoshown suspended between the mounting surfaces 105, 110. Elementsattached to the module panel are shown including air brake monitoringsystem 210 as well as various pressure valves 220, 140 and 170.

Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of thepresent invention is shown. Here, one can see mounting element 115, 120attaching the module panel 100 to mounting surface 105, 110. The modulepanel 100 holds the elements of system module 1000.

FIG. 3 also shows the use of fasteners 310, 320, 330, and 340 that areused tighten mounting element 115, 120. As shown, the mounting element115, 120 is designed to attach to the mounting surface 105, 110,attaching to the module panel 100 to the mounting surface 105, 110.Furthermore, elements such as air brake monitoring system 210 and othersare show in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, a simplified view of the mounting element 115, 120is shown attaching the module panel 100 to the mounting surface 105,110. Fasteners 310, 320, 330, and 340 are shown with nut and boltelements respectively. These nut and bolt fasteners may also be reducedto 2 nut and bolt fasteners and can also be replaced by screws and othersuch fastening devices that are used in the industry.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of FIG. 4, where the mounting mechanism isclearly shown. Here, mounting surface 105, 110 is shown with modulepanel 100 shown suspended below. Mounting element 115, 120 is shown asbeing composed of pieces 510 and 520 as well as bolts 521, 522, 523, 524and nuts 525, 526, 527, and 528.

As shown, element 510 and 520 have holes 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516,and 517-518 (not shown). Module panel 100 has holes 531, 532, 533, and534. These holes allow for the bolts 521-524 to go through the holes,allowing for elements 510, 520 to and module panel 100 to be attached,thus attaching the module panel 100 to the mounting surface 105, and110. The invention can comprises additional or fewer holes in variousembodiments. Additional fastening elements can also be used.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. Heremounting surface 105, 110 is shown with mounting element 600. Thismounting element 600 is of a different design that the mounting elements115, 120 shown in other embodiments, as mounting element 600 does nothave elements that go around and attach to the lower part of the I-Beamas shown in FIGS. 1-5. Instead, the mounting element 600 is attached tothe mounting surface via a different type of attachment mechanism.Mounting element 600 has a groove 610 for holding the module panel 100(not shown). Mounting element 600 also has holes 620, 630, 640, and 650used to support fasteners (not shown) such that the module panel 100 canbe attached and locked with the mounting element 600.

FIG. 7 shows the mounting element 600 welded to the mounting surface105, 110 via welding elements 710 and 720. More or less welding canoccur in various embodiments of the invention. A module panel 100 wouldthen be able to be attached to the mounting element 600 through groove610 as well as holes 620, 630, 640, and 650. Fasteners (not shown) wouldattach and tighten the module panel 100 to the mounting element 600.

FIG. 8 is a view of the mounting element 600 being attached to themounting surface 105, 100 via flexible elastics 810 and 820. Theseelastics surround the entire mounting surface 105, 110, as shown,instead of linking to the bottom flange 830 of the mounting surface 105,110. As described in FIG. 7, a module panel 100 would then be able to beattached to the mounting element 600 through groove 610 as well as holes620, 630, 640, and 650. Fasteners (not shown) would attach and tightenthe module panel 100 to the mounting element 600.

FIG. 9 is a view of the mounting element 600 being attached to themounting surface 105, 110 via clamps 910 and 920. Various clamps may beused including clamps specially designed by Haldex to clamp to amounting surface on a trailer/dolly. The clamps tighten and allow themounting element to attach to the mounting surface 105, 110. Asdescribed in FIG. 7, a module panel 100 would then be able to beattached to the mounting element 600 through groove 610 as well as holes620, 630, 640, and 650. Fasteners (not shown) would attach and tightenthe module panel 100 to the mounting element 600.

FIGS. 1-9 show the attachment of a system module 1000 to a mountingelement 115, 120 attached to a mounting surface 105, 110, where thesystem module 1000 is preferably a trailer/dolly air brake systemmodule.

FIG. 10 shows use of clamp 2000 designed by Haldex®. The clamp 2000attaches the system module 1000 to the mounting surface 105,110 (notshown in FIG. 10). This Halex® clamp has the unique ability as itprovides increased ease of use, durability, and longevity, as itattaches the system module 1000 to the mounting surface 105,110, wherebythe mounting element is typically an I-beam.

Shown in FIG. 10, clamp 2000 comprises a pair of oppositely disposedclamping members 2100, 2150 for engaging laterally opposite flanges2010, 2020 of a mounting surface 105, 110, each clamping member having alug portion 2160 and 2170 thereof. Clamp 2000 also has a pair ofbrackets 2200, 2250 disposed between said lug portions 2160, 2170 ofsaid clamping members 2100, 2150, said brackets 2200, 2250 secured tosaid clamping members 2100, 2150 via fasteners 2300, 2310, 2320, and2330. The brackets 2200, 2250 are adapted to receive a panel 100

Clamp 2000 is also shown wherein said pair of brackets 2200, 2250 aresecured to each other via fasteners 2400, 2410. The clamping members2100, 2150 are shown to be C-shaped and the brackets 2200, 2250 areL-shaped.

FIG. 10 shows the brackets 2200, 2250 facing each other to form aT-shaped forming groove 2500 between said brackets 2200, 2250.

Panel 100 is shown disposed in groove 2400 and panel 100 is secured tosaid brackets 2200, 2250 via fasteners 2400, 2410. These fasteners 2400,2410 can be easily removed from the brackets 2200, 2250 allowing foreasy removal of panel 100 from the clamp 2000.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the Haldex® clamp 2000. Here, clampingmembers 2100, 2150 are shown being able to attach to each other and tobrackets 2200, 2250 via fasteners. The fasteners are typically made ofscrews 2300, 2310, washers 2302, 2312, and nuts 2305, 2315.

The brackets 220, 2250 are shown being attach to attach to each othervia fasteners, which involve screws 2400, 2410, washers 2402, 2412, andnuts 2405, 2415.

Clamp 2000 has laterally opposite flanges 2010, 2020 that are part oflower flange portion of said mounting surface 105, 110, which isgenerally an I-beam. Fasteners 2300, 2310, 2320, and 2330 tightenclamping members 2100, 2150 around the mounting surface 105, 100 tosecure clamp 2000 to the mounting surface 105, 100.

Another embodiment of the present invention involves clamping system3000, shown in FIG. 12. Clamping system 3000 comprises a pair of clamps2000 for engaging two separate mounting surfaces 105,110, said clamps2000 each having a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members 2100,2150 for engaging laterally opposite flanges 2010, 2020 of said mountingsurfaces 105, 110, each clamping member having a lug portion 2160, 2170thereof, said clamps each having a pair of brackets 2200, 2250 disposedbetween said lug portions of said clamping members 2100, 2150, whereinsaid brackets 2200, 2250 are secured to said clamping members viafasteners 2300, 2310, 2320, 2330; and a module panel 100, said modulepanel 100 secured to each of said clamps 2000.

The clamping system may further have fasteners 2300, 2310, 2320, and2330 secure the module panel 100 to each of said clamps 2000. Theclamping system may have its clamping members 2100, 2150 of the clamps2000 be C-shaped. The brackets 2200, 2250 of each of the clamps may beL-shaped. The brackets 2200, 2250 on each of the clamps 2000 may faceeach other to form a T-shape, forming a groove 2500 in between thebrackets 2200, 2250 for each of the clamps 2400.

A panel 100 may be disposed in groove 2500 and the panel 100 is securedto the brackets 2200, 2250 of each of the clamps 2000 via fasteners2400, 2410. The clamping system may have mounting surfaces 105,100selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or a C-channel, or acombination thereof.

Another embodiment of the present invention involves a method forassembly of a clamp 2000 comprising: introducing a pair of oppositelydisposed clamping members 2100, 2150 for engaging laterally oppositeflanges 2010, 2020 of a mounting surface 105, 110, each clamping member2100, 2150 having a lug portion 2160, 2170 thereof; introducing a pairof brackets 2200, 2250; disposing the brackets 2200, 2250 between thelug portions 2160, 2170 of the clamping members 2100, 2150; andfastening said brackets 2200, 2250 to said clamping members 2100, 2150.

The method may involve clamping members 2100, 2150 that are C-shapedand/or brackets 2200, 2250 that are L-shaped. The method may furtherinvolve fasteners 2300, 2310, 2320, 2330 that tighten the clampingmembers 2100, 2150 around the I-beam to secure the clamp 2000 to theI-beam.

The method may further involve inserting a panel 100 between thebrackets 2200, 2250 and securing said panel 100 to said brackets 2200,2250 via fasteners 2400, 2410.

Another embodiment of the present invention involves a method forproviding a system module 1000 that can be easily be removed andreplaced to minimize trailer/dolly downtime. The method allows for asystem module 1000 to be quickly attached to a trailer dolly vehicle.The method also further allows for a system module 1000 to be quicklyreplaced with another system module 1000, allowing for continued use ofthe trailer/dolly vehicle. This method involves using the apparatusdescribed in other embodiments of the invention. By using the design ofthe apparatus, a system module 1000 can be easily installed and removedfrom the mounting surface.

The method further involves reducing the installation time of a systemmodule 1000, and eliminating errors that result during the installationof the system module 1000. Furthermore, the method minimizes operationcost in both early and unnecessary repair and replacement cost, andminimizing catastrophic failures resulting in insurance cost saving.

The method comprises the following steps of introducing a system module1000, introducing a mounting element 115, 120 described in the apparatusof the invention, wherein the mounting element attaches the systemmodule 1000 to a mounting surface 105, 110 on a vehicle. Variousmounting elements 115, 120 may be used for the attachment of the systemmodule 1000 to the mounting surface 105, 110.

The method further involves the step of removing and replacing thesystem module 1000 by disengaging said system module 1000 from saidmounting element 115, 120, introducing a second system module 1000, andengaging said second system module 1000 with said mounting element 115,120, wherein said second system module 1000 allows for continued use ofthe vehicle. The method can be performed by a human, such as a mechanic,or in certain embodiments, robots and machines can be used to replacethe system module.

The method uses a mounting surface 105, 110 selected from a groupconsisting of an I-beam or C-channel, however, the mounting surface 105,110 can be another part associated with a trailer/dolly vehicle.Furthermore, the mounting element 115, 120 is selected from a groupconsisting of welding, a fastening device, and/or a clamping device,however, other methods may also be used to connect the system module1000 to the mounting surface 105, 110. Welding is typically used incombination with other fasteners as the ability of the other fastenersallows the system module to be easily removable. More than one of thesemethods can be used in conjunction with one another to mount the systemmodule 1000 to the mounting surface 105, 110.

The method further applies to a vehicle from a group consisting of, butnot limited to semi-trailers, dolly, semi-trailer trucks, lorry's, sidelifters, reefers, vans, flat beds, tanker trailers, dump trailers, roadtrains, or other commercial and heavy duty vehicles that useair/hydraulic systems.

The method further comprises the step of easing the installation of thesystem module 1000. The method further comprises the step of servicingthe system module 1000 and inserting the system module 1000 into anothervehicle. This allows for system modules to be used interchangeably, thusminimizing downtime of the vehicle. This downtime can be limited,whereby the time to remove and replace a system module with a secondsystem module takes under an hour. More preferably, the downtime can belimited to 30 minutes, whereby it take approximately 30 minutes or lessto remove and replace a system module from a mounting surface.

Furthermore, in specific embodiments, the system module is preferably atrailer/dolly air brake system module.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection withcertain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that thisis by way of illustration and not of limitation and that various changesand modifications in form and details can be made thereto, and the scopeof the appended Claims should be construed as broadly as the prior artwill permit.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature, andthus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of installing a trailer/dolly air brakesystem module on a vehicle comprising: introducing a trailer/dolly airbrake system module; introducing a mounting element, wherein saidmounting element attaches said system module to a mounting surface onthe vehicle.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:removing said system module by disengaging said system module from saidmounting element; introducing a second system module; and engaging saidsecond system module with said mounting element, wherein said secondsystem module allows for continued use of said vehicle.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said mounting surface is selected from a groupconsisting of an I-beam or C-channel.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid mounting element is selected from a group consisting of a fasteningdevice, clamping device, or a combination of both devices.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the vehicle is selected from a group consisting ofsemi-trailers, dolly, semi-trailer trucks, lorry's, side lifters,reefers, vans, flat beds, tanker trailers, dump trailers, road trains,or other commercial and heavy duty vehicles that use a air/hydraulicsystem.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising servicing saidsystem module and inserting said system module into another vehicle. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the time to remove and replace saidsystem module with said second system module takes under an hour.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the time to remove and replace said systemmodule with said second system module is under 30 minutes.
 9. A methodof replacing a system module from a vehicle comprising: introducing asystem module; introducing a mounting element, wherein the mountingelement attaches the system module to a mounting surface on the vehicle;removing said system module by disengaging said system module from saidmounting element, introducing a second system module, and engaging saidsecond system module with said mounting element, wherein said secondsystem module allows for continued use of said vehicle.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein the mounting surface is selected from a groupconsisting of an I-beam or C-channel.
 11. The method of claim 9, whereinthe mounting element is selected from a group consisting of a fasteningdevice, and/or a clamping device.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein thevehicle is selected from a group consisting of semi-trailers, dolly,semi-trailer trucks, lorry's, side lifters, reefers, vans, flat beds,tanker trailers, dump trailers, road trains, or other commercial andheavy duty vehicles that use a air/hydraulic system.
 13. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising servicing said system module and insertingsaid system module into another vehicle.
 14. The method of claim 9,wherein the time to remove and replace said system module with saidsecond system module takes under an hour.
 15. The method of claim 9,wherein the time to remove and replace said system module with saidsecond system module is under 30 minutes.
 16. An assembly to mount asystem module to a vehicle having a mounting surface, the assemblycomprising: a system module including a module panel used to supportelements of said system module; a mounting element; and a mountingsurface, wherein said mounting element attaches said system module tosaid mounting surface, and wherein said mounting surface is an elementof a vehicle.
 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said mountingelement has a groove for holding said module panel.
 18. The assembly ofclaim 16, wherein said mounting element has holes used to supportfasteners, such that said module panel can be attached and locked withinsaid mounting element.
 19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein saidmounting element is welded onto said mounting surface via weldingelements.
 20. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said mounting element isattached to said mounting surface via flexible elastics.
 21. Theassembly of claim 20, wherein said flexible elastics surround the entiremounting surface.
 22. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said mountingelement is attached to said mounting surface via clamps.
 23. Theassembly of claim 16, wherein said mounting surface is selected from agroup consisting of an I-beam or C-channel of a vehicle.
 24. Theassembly of claim 16, wherein said mounting element is selected from agroup consisting of a fastening device and a clamping device, or acombination of both devices.
 25. The assembly of claim 16, wherein thesystem module can be detached from the mounting element.
 26. Theassembly of claim 16, wherein said system module can be repaired withoutdisturbing continued use of said vehicle.
 27. The assembly of claim 16,wherein said system module can be replaced by a second system module.28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein said second system module allowsfor continued use of said vehicle.
 29. The assembly of claim 16, whereinsaid vehicle is selected from a group consisting of semi-trailers,dolly, semi-trailer trucks, lorry's, side lifters, reefers, vans, flatbeds, tanker trailers, dump trailers, road trains, or other commercialand heavy duty vehicles that use an air/hydraulic system.
 30. Theassembly of claim 16, wherein said system module is a trailer/dolly airbrake system module.